The Thunder Dome Car Museum had its first cruise in early April, which brought in more than 1,800 pounds of food and $2,900 in donations to be split among Plateau Outreach Ministries in Enumclaw and the Black Diamond Community Center. Photo courtesy Becky Endicott

Cruise through Enumclaw to support local businesses, nonprofits

The Friday, May 8 cruise will be all downtown, while the Thunder Dome Car Museum is hosting another on Saturday, May 9.

They say necessity is the mother of invention — and in the world of COVID-19, there’s enough necessity to go around.

That’s why Enumclaw local Dana Wilcox is organizing what’s being called a “downtown cruise” this Friday, May 8, for residents to continue supporting downtown businesses that remain open during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I didn’t really know this was going to be a project or a thing,” Wilcox said in a May 4 interview. “I just thought, hey, this is a good idea, let’s do this. I guess it’s evolving quickly.”

The idea is to have people “gather” — though not really — at the north end of Cole Street around 6 p.m. and drive south until they hit Stevenson Avenue, where folks will then turn north onto Railroad Street and loop back onto Cole around Washington Avenue.

“Please find a great restaurant that you want to eat at, call in and order ahead of time, find a spot, eat dinner, watch your friends, and we’ll see how it happens,” Wilcox continued. “There’s nothing set in stone.”

Enumclaw City Councilman Hoke Overland has compiled a list of restaurants that are still open. On the list are:

• Avalanche Delite, currently open Fridays through Mondays from 3 to 8 p.m.;

• Cascadia Pizza, currently open Sundays through Thursdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.;

• Four Seasons, currently open Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.;

• Golf Course Cafe, currently open Friday through Sunday 8 a.m. to noon

• Griffin and Wells, currently open Wednesdays through Sundays noon to 8 p.m.;

• The Kettle, currently open Tuesdays to Saturdays 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sundays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

• King’s Teriyaki, currently open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wilcox is also asking those participating in the cruise to bring nonperishable food items to drop off outside The Garage gym or The Local coffee shop, both on Cole Street, for people to take as needed.

This event has not been run past the city of Enumclaw or the Enumclaw Police Department, so Wilcox is also asking attendees to make sure they’re social distancing and wearing proper protective gear.

The Thunderdome Car Museum is also hosting a cruise to raise money for epilepsy research.

The May 9 event appears to be the second cruise organized by the nonprofit museum.

According to Becky Endicott, the cruise will start at the museum on Garrett Street at 9 a.m. and go south to Eatonville, stop for an early lunch at The Cruiser Cafe, keep going to Elby, and then Morton. The cruise will then get on I-5 North and take exit 88 to Tenino. There may be an additional stop in Parkland before heading back to the Thunderdome to do a 50/50 raffle between 3 and 4 p.m.

Tickets for the 50/50 raffle cash drawing and raffle can be purchased at various stops (including the museum) along the route; raffle prizes include Thunderdome admission tickets and apparel. You must be present to win the raffle.